Status Update on European Funds

As the summer season comes to an end, work routines are gradually resuming. It’s essential to provide a status update on the European Funds: Portugal 2020, Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), and Portugal 2030. In this article, you’ll learn about the open calls and those that are forthcoming, enabling you to prepare your investment plans and be ready to apply for community support at the right time.

Portugal 2030

Among the most coveted calls in the new community framework is the support for Productive Innovation. Currently, the third phase of analysis is ongoing until September 29. However, you can apply for support until December 15, 2023. If you need to increase your business capacity, alter production processes, diversify production, or open a new establishment, always with some associated innovative factor, this support is for you!

In the scope of Mar 2030, the first calls have opened, including the Transformation of Fishery and Aquaculture Products in the Domain of Productive Investments and the Sustainable Development of Aquaculture in the Domain of Productive Investments.

For other calls, such as support for SME Internationalization and support for Research & Technological Development, no opening dates are yet scheduled. However, given the requirements for applications, it is advisable to prepare the respective investment plans as soon as possible.

PRR

In the PRR, the call for Internationalization via E-Commerce is open until the budget is exhausted. These cases require a greater sense of urgency as this budget can run out at any time. If you intend to boost your business through e-commerce, contact us.

Meanwhile, both the Vouchers for Startups and the call for Industry Decarbonization will reopen soon. If you want to change your company’s ecological/energy paradigm or develop new high-efficiency digital products or services, don’t miss these opportunities.

Portugal 2020

It’s time to say goodbye to the community framework that has provided numerous community supports since 2014. The last Productive Innovation projects are in the final stages and should conclude by the end of September 2023.

In the scope of Portugal 2020, there is an exception. The Rural Development Program will still be in effect for another two years, with more supports expected to be launched during this period under PDR2020, such as for Transformation and Marketing, Agricultural Exploration, and Diversification. For the entrepreneur, the crucial point is that the financial inflow arrives.

HM Consultores Opinion

In this climate of European funds, the abundance of incentives makes the work of entrepreneurs and consultants more complex and demanding. This does not mean that the environment is not rich in opportunities; quite the opposite. Opportunities exist, but better articulation between agents is needed to capitalize on them. Responding to this challenge requires being attentive, informed, and strategic; defining ambitious and credible investment plans that incorporate the relevance of public incentives selectively.

Companies with well-defined medium and long-term strategies will be better positioned to access these incentives to promote R&D activities and innovative solutions. This will increase their technological specialization, competitiveness, and export capacity, ultimately contributing to a distinct market positioning.

For HM Consultants, particularly in strengthening our clients’ competitive models, these are urgent issues. We break down the issue to the atom level, i.e., applying for European funds. To increase the likelihood of approval, it remains important to understand the existing incentives, their objectives, and characteristics (eligible expenses, activity sectors, access conditions, timings, support form, support rate, merit conditions, evaluation parameters, among others), as well as ensuring technical quality and complementary financing sources.

As we return to business, highlighting the need for alignment and continuous communication between entrepreneurs and consultants, we are here, for over 36 years, to support you in what we do best – ensuring the best outcomes for our clients’ investments. Can we count on you?